DECEMBER. 



730 



DECEMBER, 



over occasionally, turned, sorted, and 

 cleaned ; kept moist without being damp, 

 cool without frost, and where there is a 

 free circulation of air. As to seeds, it is 

 well to have them ready for sowing that 

 is, thoroughly dried and rubbed out, every 

 particle of husk and light seed blown out, 

 and carefully papered and labelled. Those 

 that have to be purchased should be pro- 

 cured early. Go to respectable dealers, 

 who can be certain of the sorts being true 

 to name. Note down and procure exactly 

 what will be required for the season, so 

 that no time is lost in running after them 

 the moment they are wanted, and place 

 each sort in its proper drawer or receptacle, 

 that there may be no confusion. 



Sticks for Peas, Beans, rV. Much 

 valuable time is saved in the spring and 

 summer by making a general pruning and 

 trimming of trees at this time of the year. 

 Most trees will be improved by a little cut- 

 ting out ; it prevents them making so much 

 dead wood. Collect all these prunings ; 

 take the bill in hand, and look over the 

 sticks ; see what are useful for supporting 

 peas and beans. Select them both for tall 

 and dwarf sorts. Keep them all separate ; 

 trim them into shape, and point them ; tie 

 them into bundles, and store them up in 

 a dry place ready for use, when wanted ; 

 the remainder may be tied up in faggots, 

 which are useful for various purposes, or, if 

 chopped short and stored in a dry place, 

 will be useful for lighting fires. Let neither 

 time nor material of any kind be wasted ; 

 it is wonderful to what uses a little in- 

 genuity can apply them. 



Sweet Herbs. Herb beds should be 

 cleared, and made as neat as possible, both 

 for the appearance of the beds and well- 

 doings of the herbs. In order to procure 

 parsley for garnishing, sauces, &c., plant 

 protectors should be placed over a few 

 rows or cloches, otherwise bell-glasses and 

 hnudlights over individual plants. 



December. Shrubbery, &c., 

 Work in. 



December Work, Importance of. Many 

 amateurs are tempted to desert their gardens 

 until brighter prospects and more genial 

 weather tempt them forth to their usual 

 labours. A week's cold indifference, how- 

 ever, or studied neglect at this period oi 

 the year may counteract the labours oi 

 years, and render nugatory most of our 

 future efforts to maintain the beauty and 

 utility of the garden generally. In many 

 respects the winter work is even of more 

 importance than that of summer. It is 

 only those who dig, plough, and sow in 

 winter that have any right to reap in 

 summer or autumn. Now is the time to 

 plan and lay the foundation for the future 

 beauty of the garden. Advantage, there- 

 fore, should be taken of this quiet or dead 

 season of the year to remedy any defect 

 or shortcoming that has been brought into 

 prominence by the experience of the pre- 

 ceding summer. 



Preparation of the Soil. Having got the 

 ground into the proper shape, see that it 

 is also made of the best quality. Good, 

 properly prepared soil is of the first im- 

 portance in the kitchen garden ; it is even 

 of greater importance here. The perma- 

 nent nature of the plants introduced into 

 shrubberies and flower gardens renders the 

 future improvement of bad soil difficult and 

 well-nigh impossible. All who value rapid, 

 healthy growth must see that everything 

 possible is done to ameliorate the soil before 

 planting. November is the best month in 

 the whole year for planting, but if this work 

 has not been done in November, it should 

 be carried out as early as possible in De- 

 cember. 



Pruning Trees and Shrubs. The prun- 

 ing of deciduous trees and shrubs should 

 also be proceeded with, unless during 

 severe frost. Most evergreens are best 

 pruned in April ; nevertheless, as that is 



